We consider a two-group randomized clinical trial, where mortality affects the assessment of a follow-up continuous outcome. Using the worst-rank composite endpoint, we develop a weighted Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test statistic to analyze the data. We determine the optimal weights for the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test statistic that maximize its power. We derive a formula for its power and demonstrat...

In psychological research, comparisons between two groups are frequently made to demonstrate that one group exhibits higher values. Although Welch’s unequal variances t-test has become the preferred parametric test for this purpose, surpassing Student’s equal t-test, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney remains predominant nonparametric approach despite sharing similar limitations with t-test. Specifically, i...

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BACKGROUND We studied the cases with T 4 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to characterize the factors associated with prolonged survival and to clarify the indication of extended nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population consisted of 53 patients (44 male and 9 female) with pT 4 RCC treated at the Yokohama City University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals from 1965 to 1994. Surviva...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Heroin-dependent patients typically contract hepatitis C virus (HCV) at a disproportionately high level due to needle exchange. The liver is the primary target organ of HCV infection and also the main organ responsible for drug metabolism. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a major treatment regimen for opioid dependence. HCV infection may affect methadone metabo...

BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is one of the neoplasms characterized by an exceptionally latent course, dynamic development and poor prognosis. The stage of the disease at the time of treatment is started the greatest impact on the long term results. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate selected clinical-pathological features as prognostic factors for long ter...

AIM To examine the influence of a practical surgical course on the number of minor surgical procedures performed by family physicians. METHODS We compared the number of minor surgical procedures performed by family physicians in 59 offices in the city of Osijek and surrounding rural area during 12 months before and after the 40-hour practical surgical course held in September 2006 by surgeons...

Isolated extramedullary relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be accompanied by occult bone marrow disease. We used a highly sensitive assay to quantify leukemic progenitor cells (LPCs) in the bone marrow of such patients. Multiparameter flow cytometry and blast colony assays were used to detect LPCs in the bone marrow of 31 pediatric B-lineage ALL patients with an isolate...